24th January 2014 Editor: Jill Varley
business events news The child within
Let’s face it, going to the Sydney Opera House is on most visitors’ Sydney bucket list. It’s a most appropriate experience for conference delegates and business clients, so it stands to reason that organising tickets to a performance and in this case, the opera, during their stay can be a sure-fire winner. Okay, so opera may not be for everyone. However, the latest production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute is sure to soften the most recalcitrant heart. This Opera Australia presentation packed the theatre during its 2012 run and such was the capacity last week when BEN went to this colourful production of magic, fanciful costumes and huge puppetry - a staging to delight children and to awaken the child in all of us. Speaking of concerts, with Australia Day being celebrated this Sunday, the Australia Day Harbour Concert Series is being staged at a number of locations around the city. It is being held on the Harbour on floating stages at Blues Point, Athol Bay and Darling Harbour. Free of charge, they start at 1pm and include Taylor Henderson and Justice Crew. BEN will return on 29 Jan so until then, happy Australia Day! Jill.
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Giving Hart to women
Considering that a predominant proportion of the meetings and events industry is made up of women, Suzanne Hart’s SHE travels introduction of ‘Surf & Stay’ trips to Bali for women wanting adventure by day, luxury by night, and a healthy dose of pampering, is right on the money. Hart said she founded the company in 2010 because an increasing number of women were looking for a travel experience tailored specifically. “There are so many women out there who always wanted to learn to surf but were too scared, thought they were too old or just didn’t know where to start. “Our small group sizes – we have no more than eight people per trip – also makes it perfect for incentive travel groups.
Ibis celebrates 1000th Leading economy and budget hotel group Accor, with more than 1,700 hotels worldwide, is celebrating its 1000th ibis hotel. The landmark achievement comes two years after starting to review economy hotel codes in depth as well as modernising the ibis, ibis Styles and ibis Budget brands.
“Overall, we’ve found that women are drawn to the idea of spoiling themselves whilst learning a new skill, which is why we’ve launched SHE surfs.” Nine Surf & Stay experiences are planned for 2014 with the first scheduled for 29 Mar. SHE’s Surf & Stay is seven days, six nights and priced at $3,180 per person inc GST. Flights are not included and the deal is subject to availability with conditions. For further information visit www.shetravels.net.au.
A deal to yodel about Swissotel Sydney, with conference facilities for up to 450 people, has a boardroom hire special for February. The boardroom is among the hotel’s eight newly renovated meeting rooms, including its Blaxland Ballroom. Each booking comes with complimentary access to the executive lounge with use of all amenities including wifi. Also included is entry to the business centre, an assortment of sweet and savoury items and a coffee machine. Enquiries and bookings can be directed to 02 9238 8926 or events.sydney@swissotel.com.
Chairs, Bolly darling
Karen Bolinger, ceo of the Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB,) has been announced as BestCities Global Alliance 2014 board chair. Bolinger brings more than 20 years’ industry experience to the role, particularly in high level marketing and branding as well as leading the very successful and busy bureau team in Melbourne. The Australia chair for the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), Bolinger is also treasurer and board member of the Association of Australian Convention Bureaux (AACB), board member of Business Events Council of Australia (BECA) and a member of the Victorian Advisory Board for the Starlight Children’s Foundation. Since joining the MCB in 2011, Bolinger has been deeply involved with the bureau’s partnership with BestCities and is an active exponent for the continued growth of the alliance through her existing role on the BestCities Expansion Committee. Delighted to take on the role, Bolinger said, “As a BestCities founding partner, MCB has strong ties with BestCities and we value the power of the strategic relationship with our nine partners.” One of Bollinger’s first roles will be to host a breakfast for visiting media at the MCB-owned AsiaPacific Incentives & Meetings Expo (AIME) in Melbourne next month.
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